ES2908279T3 - beverage cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cartridge (1) containing one or more beverage ingredients and comprising an inlet (27) for the introduction of an aqueous medium and an outlet (43) for the beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, the cartridge incorporating within a beverage flow path between the inlet (27) and the outlet (43) an eductor for entraining air into the beverage, the eductor comprising an aperture (128) for producing a jet of the beverage, means for producing a pressure reduction of the jet of beverage, at least one air inlet (71), and a deflecting channel (80) downstream of the aperture (128), the cartridge further comprising a circulation chamber (93) between the deflecting channel (80) of the eductor and the outlet (43), the deflecting channel entering the circulation chamber (93) from a periphery of said circulation chamber and the outlet of the cartridge being located at or near a centre of said circulation chamber, wherein the circulation chamber (93) is shaped to cause the beverage exiting the deflecting channel (80) of the eductor to whirl around the circulation chamber (93) before exiting the outlet (43).

Description

DESCRIPTION

beverage cartridge

The present invention relates to improvements in cartridges for producing beverages and, in particular, for producing beverages comprising a foam of fine bubbles on the surface of the beverage, known as crema.

The present applicant's EP-1255685 discloses a cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine for dispensing an espresso type coffee beverage. The cartridge comprises one or more restrictions to form a stream or streams of beverage. At least one air inlet is provided and the stream(s) of beverage is passed through said at least one air inlet to thereby draw air through the air inlet and entrain air bubbles into the flow. of drink. The beverage flow then passes through an expansion chamber to an outlet where it is dispensed. In one embodiment, the cartridge further comprises within the beverage flow path a surface upon which the beverage impacts.

The present applicant's EP-1440903 also discloses a cartridge for use in a beverage preparation machine for dispensing an espresso type coffee beverage. The cartridge comprises an eductor having an air inlet, means for forming a reduced pressure jet of beverage which is passed through said air inlet, and means for producing a pressure reduction in the jet to draw air through. air inlet and draw air bubbles into the flow of beverage.

Although the cartridges described in EP-1255685 and EP-1440903 have been found to be effective, it would be desirable to produce an improved cartridge in which the quality of crema delivered to the cup is improved and/or controlled.

The present invention provides a cartridge as in the appended claims.

Cartridges and a method according to the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through a prior art beverage cartridge;

Figure 2 is a top perspective view of an outer element of the cartridge of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the outer element of Figure 2 in an inverted orientation;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of an interior element of the cartridge of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part XVII of the inner element of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the inner member of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a top perspective view of the inner member of Figure 4 in an inverted orientation; Figure 8 is a perspective view of a portion of an interior of a prior art cartridge similar to Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a portion of an interior of a cartridge embodiment according to the present invention;

Figure 10a is a diagram of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of beverage flow within the portion of the cartridge shown in Figure 8;

Figure 10b is a photograph of beverage flow within the portion of the cartridge shown in Figure 8;

Figure 11a is a diagram of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of beverage flow within the portion of the cartridge shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11b is a photograph of beverage flow within the portion of the cartridge shown in Figure 9;

Figure 12a is a diagram of a CFD analysis of flow within an eductor channel of the cartridge of Figure 9;

Figure 12b is a diagram of a CFD analysis of flow within an eductor channel of the cartridge of Figure 1; Figure 13a is a schematic top plan view of a part of an interior of the cartridge of Figure 1 (provided with four ribs according to the present description);

Figure 13b is a photograph of the cream formed in a beverage produced using the cartridge of Figure 13a; Fig. 14a is a schematic top plan view of a portion of an interior of a cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 14b is a photograph of the cream formed in a beverage produced using the cartridge of Figure 14a; Fig. 15a is a schematic top plan view of a portion of an interior of a cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 15b is a photograph of the cream formed in a beverage produced using the cartridge of Figure 15a; Figure 16a is a schematic top plan view of a portion of an interior of a cartridge;

Figure 16b is a photograph of the cream formed in a beverage produced using the cartridge of Figure 16a; Fig. 17a is a schematic top plan view of a portion of an interior of a cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 17b is a photograph of the cream formed in a beverage produced using the cartridge of Figure 17a; Figure 18 is a perspective view of a portion of an interior of a cartridge embodiment according to the present invention; Y

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a portion of an interior of a cartridge embodiment according to the present invention.

Figures 1 to 8 illustrate a prior art cartridge 1 which is described in detail in Applicant's European Patent Publication EP-1440903. The cartridge 1 is specially designed for use in the dispensing of espresso type products such as roast and ground coffee where it is desirable to produce a beverage having a foam of minute bubbles known as crema.

As shown in Figure 1, the cartridge 1 generally comprises an outer element 2 (shown in greater detail in Figures 2 and 3), an inner element 3 (shown in greater detail in Figures 4 to 7) and a laminate 5. outer element 2, inner element 3 and laminate 5 are assembled to form cartridge 1 having an interior 120 for containing one or more beverage ingredients 200. Initially an inlet 27 and outlet 43 are sealed by laminate 5, and are opened in use by piercing or cutting portions of laminate 5. A beverage flow path between inlet 27 and outlet 43 is defined by spatial interrelationships. between outer element 2, inner element 3 and laminate 5.

The overall shape of the cartridge 1 is generally circular or disk.

As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the outer member 2 generally comprises a bowl-shaped cover 10 having a curved annular wall 13, a closed upper part 11 and an open lower part 12. Annular wall 13 and closed top 11 together define a receptacle having an interior 34.

An inwardly facing hollow cylindrical extension 18 is provided on the closed upper part 11 centered on the main axis X. An outwardly extending shoulder 33 is formed on the outer element 2 towards the lower part 12. Outwardly extending shoulder 33 forms a secondary wall 15 coaxial with annular wall 13 to define an annular track forming a manifold 16 between secondary wall 15 and annular wall 13. Manifold 16 passes around the circumference of the element. outer element 2. A series of slots 17 are provided in the annular wall 13 at the same level as the distributor 16 to provide gas and liquid communication between the distributor 16 and the interior 34 of the outer element 2.

A lower end of the outwardly extending shoulder 33 is provided with an outwardly extending rim 35. As best shown in figures 4 to 7, the inner element 3 comprises an annular frame 41 and a cylindrical funnel 40 extending downwards. The annular shell 41 comprises an outer rim 51 and an inner hub 52 joined by radial segments 53. The inner hub 52 is integrated with and extends from the cylindrical funnel 40. Filtration openings 55 are formed in the annular shell 41 between the segments. radials 53. A filter 4 is arranged on the annular frame 41 to cover the filtration openings 55. Passages 57 are formed above the frame 41 between stiffeners 54.

The cylindrical funnel 40 comprises an outer tube 42 surrounding an inner discharge nozzle 43. The outer tube 42 forms the exterior of the cylindrical funnel 40. The discharge nozzle 43 joins the outer tube 42 at an upper end of the discharge nozzle 43 by means of an annular flange 47. The discharge nozzle 43 comprises an inlet 45 at an upper end communicating with openings 56 of passages 57 and an outlet 44 at a lower end through which the prepared beverage is discharged into a cup or other receptacle.

Inner element 3 spans between outer element 2 and laminate 5.

A rim 67 is provided projecting from the annular rim 47 which joins the outer tube 42 to the discharge nozzle 43. The rim 67 surrounds the inlet 45 to the discharge nozzle 43 and defines an annular channel 69 between the rim 67 and the top of the outer tube 42. The rim 67 is provided with an inwardly directed shoulder. At a point around the circumference of the rim 67 a slot-shaped opening 70 is provided which extends from an upper edge of the rim 67 to a point marginally below the level of the shoulder.

With particular reference to Figures 4 and 5, an air inlet 71 is provided in annular rim 47 circumferentially aligned with opening 70. Air inlet 71 comprises an opening passing through rim 47 to provide communication between a point above the rim 47 and the empty space below the rim 47 between the outer tube 42 and the discharge nozzle 43. The air inlet 71 comprises a frustoconical upper part 73 and a cylindrical lower part 72.

In assembly, as shown in Figure 1, the cylindrical extension 18 is seated within the support frame 67. A projection of the cylindrical extension 18 rests against the upper edge of the support frame 67 of the inner element 3. Therefore, an interface 124 is formed between the inner element 3 and the outer element 2 that comprises a face joint between the extension cylindrical extension 18 and support rim 67 which extends around nearly the entire circumference of cartridge 1. The seal between cylindrical extension 18 and support rim 67 is not fluid-tight, as groove 70 in rim 67 The support frame extends through the support rim 67 and down to a point marginally below the shoulder. Accordingly, the interface fit between the cylindrical extension 18 and the support rim 67 transforms the slot 70 into a rectangular shaped opening 128 which provides gas and liquid communication between the annular channel 69 and the discharge nozzle 43.

For use the cartridge 1 is first inserted into a beverage preparation machine and the inlet 27 and outlet 43 are opened by perforating elements of the beverage preparation machine which pierce and bend the laminate 5. An aqueous medium, typically water, enters cartridge 1 under pressure through inlet 27. The water is directed to flow around distributor 16 and into the interior 120 of cartridge 1 through the plurality of slots 17. The water mixes with the ingredients 200 of drink contained in it. The water is at the same time forced up through the beverage ingredients. The beverage formed by the passage of water through the beverage ingredients passes through filter 4 and filtration openings 55 and enters passages 57 extending above annular frame 41.

The beverage then flows down along radial passages 57 and through openings 56 and into annular channel 69. From annular channel 69, the beverage is forced under pressure through opening 128 by the back pressure of the beverage building up inside 120 and the passages 57. Thus, the beverage is forced to pass through the opening 128 as a jet and enter an expansion chamber formed by the upper end of the nozzle 43 download. The beverage stream passes directly through the air inlet 71 . As the beverage passes through the opening, the pressure of the beverage jet drops. As a result, air is entrained into the beverage stream in the form of a multitude of small air bubbles as the air is drawn in through the air inlet 71 . The beverage emitted from opening 128 is funneled downward toward outlet 44, where the beverage is discharged into a receptacle, such as a cup, where air bubbles form the desired crema. Thus, the opening 128 and the air inlet 71 together form an eductor which acts to draw air into the beverage.

As shown in Figures 1, 5 and 8, the walls 70a of the slot 70 have straight sides and are oriented so that the opening 128 directs the stream of beverage into the top of the discharge spout 43 directly towards the center. of the discharge nozzle 43.

Figure 9 illustrates a part of a beverage cartridge according to the present invention. Many of the features of the cartridge are the same as the cartridge of Figure 1 and will not be described in further detail. For these features, similar numbering has been used. The eductor and discharge nozzle of the cartridge according to the present invention have been redesigned to improve and/or control the quality of the crema.

As shown in Figure 9, the discharge region of the cartridge comprises an eductor channel 80, a circulation chamber 93 and the discharge nozzle 43. The walls 81 of the eductor channel 80 both in the region of the air inlet 71 and downstream of the air inlet 71 are curved so as to force the beverage, which passes through the eductor inlet opening 128 ( formed from the slot 70 shown in the figure as described above by the interaction of the slot 70 with the outer element 2) and along the channel 80, to pass through an angular deviation before entering the circulation chamber 93. The flow chamber 93 is formed by a region of the inner member having a bounding wall 90 and an inclined plane 94. The inclined plane 94 slopes inward and downward toward the discharge nozzle 43. Boundary wall 90 has a generally spiral shape having a generally circular shaped portion 90a extending through an angle of approximately 270 degrees from an exit point 82 of eductor channel 80 and a radius of curvature portion 90b tapering where the boundary wall 90 curves inwards through the inclined plane 94 to end up adjacent to the central opening of the discharge nozzle 43. The end of the boundary wall 90b is coincident with the exit point 82 of the eductor channel 80. Consequently, the bounding wall extends through 360 degrees in total.

The eductor channel 80 is defined by two curved eductor walls 81 marked in the figures as first wall 81a and second wall 81b. The walls 81a and 81b extend from the region of the slot 70 through the air inlet 71 to the exit point 82 of the channel 80. In the embodiment shown, the walls 81 are curved in the opposite direction to the curve of the wall. delimiter 90 at exit point 82, although this is not essential and alternative configurations may be adopted. The first wall 81a is located inside the curve of the eductor channel 80 and therefore has a shorter length than the second wall 81b. In the embodiment shown, the curved walls 81 are concentric with a common radial center and thus have different radii of curvature, although this is not essential and alternative configurations may be adopted. In the illustrated embodiment, the centerline radius of curvature of the eductor channel is approximately 2.00mm. Furthermore, the channel 80 enters the flow chamber 93 tangentially.

In the embodiment shown, due to its curvature and configuration, second wall 81b provides an impingement surface of approximately 1.23mm along the center line from the exit of slot 70 through which the stream of beverage enters channel 80 of eductor. The included angle of impact between the center line along which a beverage jet flows and the impact surface is substantially 37.78 degrees.

A plane 74 of the eductor channel 80 is inclined downward in the direction of the outlet point 82 such that the height of the walls 81 of the eductor channel 80 increases from the inlet to the outlet point 82 of the channel 80.

In the embodiment shown, the air inlet 71 is circular and has a diameter D. Alternatively, the air inlet may take any convenient shape, such as a D-shape or other convenient shape. The equivalent or effective diameter D of this form is calculated by taking the area A and determining D from A=nr2, where D=2r.

In use, the beverage is dispensed from the cartridge using a beverage machine as described above. However, the improved eductor and discharge nozzle region help improve and/or control the appearance and amount of crema generated. The beverage passing from the annular channel 69 is forced into a high-velocity jet by passing through the opening 128. Then, the beverage jet passes through the air inlet hole 71 causing them to be attracted and entrain air bubbles into the flow. The air-bubbled beverage flow then impacts directly against the second wall 81b of the eductor channel 80 near the exit of the high velocity air port 71 causing the flow to become highly turbulent and bend and circulate within the channel. eductor 80 significantly interacting with walls 81b and 81a before exiting at exit point 82. Furthermore, the impact of the jet against the walls of the eductor channel helps to complete the entrainment of air bubbles into the liquid and to break up larger bubbles, even before the jet leaves the confines of the eductor channel 80 . Thus, the curved eductor channel 80 brings an asymmetrical nature to the flow dynamics. Furthermore, since the eductor channel 80 is directed downwards by virtue of the inclined plane 74 and the opening 128 is located near an upper part of the eductor channel 80, spiraling of the asymmetrical flow within the eductor channel 80 is enhanced. , as shown in the CFD diagram in Figure 12a. This is in stark contrast to the calculated flow pattern in the eductor channel of the Figure 1 cartridge shown in Figure 12b, where the flow is directed largely directly along the eductor channel without any vortex motion, instead significant spiral or asymmetric. This has a number of effects. The beverage in the curved eductor channel 80 interacts much more with the channel walls 81 than when the eductor channel is straight. This helps to mix the liquid and air phases of the beverage stream. Therefore, there is a greater opportunity for the bubble size within the flow to be reduced and/or maintained at its smaller initial size. With a straight eductor channel, it can be seen from Figure 12b that the flow in the center of the eductor channel away from the walls (where the air inlet 71 empties) is maintained at a high velocity throughout the length. of the eductor channel. As a result, air bubbles exiting the air inlet 71 tend to pass directly along the eductor channel with minimal interaction with the liquid phase of the beverage or the walls of the eductor channel. This has the disadvantage that it enhances and/or provides an environment for bubble coalescence, increasing the size of the bubbles in the beverage stream. It has been found that the vortex flow exiting the curved eductor channel 80 according to the present disclosure results in a more reproducible crema from cartridge to cartridge of higher and/or controlled quality.

After leaving the curved eductor channel 80, the beverage flow circulates inside the circulation chamber 93 where it is encouraged by the boundary wall 90 to acquire a flow pattern, as shown in figures 11a and 11b, where the flow turns around the axis of the discharge nozzle 43, while at the same time descending through the circulation chamber and the nozzle towards the outlet in such a way that the flow of beverage experiences centrifugal forces. The flow of beverage then exits through the discharge nozzle 43 to the destination cup or receptacle.

The flow of the beverage around the circulation chamber 93 helps to maintain the flow and maintain the structure of the flow prior to discharge through the nozzle 43. It has been found through experimentation that, in cartridges according to the present disclosure, the Non-linear entry of the beverage into the circulation chamber 93 allows the largest air bubbles contained in the beverage to migrate towards the center of the chamber 93, preferably passing through the upper region of the chamber 93, while the bubble-containing beverage smaller ones are circulated around the periphery of the chamber 93 closer to the boundary wall 90 and downwards towards the discharge nozzle 43. The largest bubbles are transported to the center of chamber 93 where they coalesce and then collapse. This is in stark contrast to the flow dynamics of the prior art cartridge of Figures 1 to 8, as shown in Figures 10a and 10b, where the flow pattern within and directly above the discharge nozzle 43 creates regions with much larger bubble sizes, where the larger bubbles tend to recirculate and are dispensed as part of the beverage cream.

It has also been found through experimentation that the use of a curved eductor in conjunction with a circulation chamber downstream of the eductor channel allows the eductor to entrain air and control bubble size, while the circulation chamber helps classify bubble size. within the flow without any significant additional air entrainment. In tests, the cartridge of Figure 9 was tested with the eductor air inlet 71 blocked. The results showed that a fine crema was not produced simply by the presence of the flow chamber 93. In other words, bubble entrainment did not occur in the flow chamber 93. This was also shown by CFD models.

A number of cartridge models were made in accordance with the present disclosure having eductor channels of varying degrees of curvature. Next, an experiment was conducted to compare the performance of a straight eductor channel with the various curved eductor designs. The results are shown in Table 1a, with reference to Figures 13a to 17b.

Table 1a.

*Note: The impact of the straight eductor jet is against the opposite side of the outlet chamber, not the wall of the eductor channel.

All models were built as full size stereolithography (SLA) prototypes, therefore the cream results obtained give a comparative reading, but are not typical of the best performance achieved in the finished design executed as a plastic injection mould. for production. The result of this finished design is shown in Table 1b, along with a photograph of the cream result achieved.

Table 1b.

For each eductor geometry, the distance from the outlet of opening 70 along the center line to the point of impact of the jet (mm), the angle of impact against the eductor wall (degrees), the n .º test, foam score (0 = poor, 5 = excellent), foam volume (ml), and comments. The foam score is an incremental eleven-point scale, such as is typically applied to coffee beverages, from 0 to 5 in 0.5 increments, visually assessed according to the following standards:

coverage scale

foam______________

m l D l rifi i 1

riff i 2 in r r

The experimental results show that the quality of the cream increases with increasing degree of curvature of the eductor channel. This is also accompanied by a slight reduction in the amount of cream produced.

Applicant has discovered that by optimizing one or more of a number of parameters of, or within, the eductor channel, a controlled improvement (or reduction) in crema quality can be obtained. For example, the results illustrate the advantageous effects achieved when adjusting the radius of curvature of the eductor (and the eductor walls), the angle of the impingement surface, and the distance of the jet from the opening to the impingement surface. Furthermore, the applicant has discovered advantageous effects of controlling the operating parameters within the eductor channel, such as the position and distance of the air inlet along the eductor channel, the fluid velocity (from 1.25 to 100 m/s), the amount of entrained air (from 333 to 13,333 mm3/s) and the potential energy dissipation (from 0.002 to 15 W). A jet (at a speed of 17.13 m/s) impinging on the outer wall of the curved eductor channel in close proximity to the air inlet has proven to be particularly advantageous for the quality of the cream obtained.

In contrast, the beverage stream in the straight eductor passes through the air inlet along the eductor channel and enters the outlet chamber without impacting the eductor channel walls. This causes a greater amount of air entrainment in the eductor channel, but with poorer mixing action of the air/water phases of the beverage in the outlet chamber.

In contrast, with a curved eductor, as the degree of curvature increases (other things being equal), the angle of impact of the jet against the wall increases and the point of impact moves closer to the jet opening and orifice. air intake. As the jet hits the wall, it undergoes a change in shape and direction that promotes better turbulent shearing action and mixing of the air/water phases in the eductor channel. Also, as the point of impact gets closer to the air intake, the amount of trapped air is reduced due to reflected back pressure. Applicant believes that the reduced amount of entrapped air, combined with more effective mixing and turbulent shear, results in the finest crema observed. Conversely, with less efficient mixing, lower turbulent shear, or less separation of larger bubbles, a larger bubbled cream can be formed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many alternatives to the described preferred embodiments are possible. For example, although the eductor designs presented above are curved, they can take any shape that causes the beverage to be forced through an angular deflection within the eductor (eg, in the form of a sharp elbow or labyrinthine). In addition, pressure differentials set across the eductor can determine the proper location of the air inlet to control the amount of air introduced and entrained into the beverage. It will also be appreciated that one or more of the length, height, cross section and/or shape and/or longitudinal area or volume of the eductor can be varied, as can the location of the air inlet, the cross sectional area and/or the shape of the air inlet, the area and/or the angle and/or distance from the opening to the impact surface. In addition, the speed of the beverage jet and the pressure profiles in the eductor can be varied. These variations allow the eductor of a beverage cartridge according to the present disclosure to be optimized for the type, quality and amount of crema desired for a given type of beverage.

As a result, the cartridges according to the present disclosure can have adapted eductor designs depending on the type of cream that is desired to be produced with a particular beverage. Table 2 shows an example of how to characterize a cream by type of drink.

Table 2.

Once the desired crema has been formed into the beverage using a correctly optimized eductor channel, it is important to control the path of advance of the beverage through the cartridge to the outlet to eliminate or reduce as much as possible any deterioration of the crema. .

As mentioned above, on exiting the eductor channel, the flow of beverage around the circulation chamber helps to increase the strength of the beverage flow structure prior to discharge through the nozzle, keeping as much as possible possible the quality and quantity of the cream.

In order to control the beverage as it is emitted from the cartridge outlet nozzle, control fins are advantageously used. Figures 18 and 19 illustrate other cartridge embodiments according to the present invention incorporating control fins.

In Figure 18, as in the first cartridge embodiment of Figure 9, the cartridge is provided with an eductor having a curved eductor channel 80 which opens tangentially to the chamber defining flow chamber 93 . However, in this embodiment, the discharge nozzle 43 is provided with four ribs or fins 100. The fins 100 are oriented longitudinally along the nozzle 43 and are equidistant around the circumference of the nozzle. Each fin 100 extends partially toward the center of the nozzle 43, such that a central opening 101 or free region within the nozzle 43 is maintained. Each fin 100 is shown tapered to have a triangular shape in elevation, increasing the distance of the fin from the wall of the nozzle 43 as it moves down the nozzle 43. It is important that each fin 100 has a tapered shape to stop the rotary flow gradually. It has been found in use that the presence of the fins 100 greatly improves the delivery of the beverage to the destination receptacle. In particular, the finned cartridge 100 emits a beverage stream that is more closely controlled and results in less splashing. An advantage over prior art designs is that the fins 100 prevent the production of an expanded conical spray of beverage from the cartridge, which can cause the beverage to miss the intended receptacle and can also cause spoilage. of any cream present in the beverage in the receptacle.

Figure 19 illustrates another cartridge embodiment which is similar to that shown in Figure 18. In this embodiment, six fins 100 are provided on the wall of the discharge nozzle equidistant around the circumference. The fins 100 are trapezoidal in elevation.

A number of models with different rib configurations were tested. Results are shown in table 2.

Table 2.

For each outlet design (cited by reference #), the number and type of ribs, open area, flow characteristics, and a photograph are provided.

Experimental results (and further experimentation) show that between four and eight fins are advantageous in producing a more steerable and confined flow of beverage emitted from the cartridge without any perceptible deterioration in crema quality or quantity.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above and illustrated in the drawings, they are provided by way of non-limiting example only. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many alternatives are possible within the scope of the present invention, set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (6)

1. A cartridge (1) containing one or more beverage ingredients and comprising an inlet (27) for the introduction of an aqueous medium and an outlet (43) for beverage produced from the one or more beverage ingredients, the cartridge incorporating within a beverage flow path between inlet (27) and outlet (43) an eductor for entraining air into the beverage, the eductor comprising an opening (128) for producing a jet of the beverage, means for produce a pressure reduction of the beverage jet, at least one air inlet (71) and a deflector channel (80) downstream of the opening (128), the cartridge also comprising a circulation chamber (93) between the deflector channel (80) of the eductor and the outlet (43), the baffle channel entering the circulation chamber (93) from a periphery of said circulation chamber and the outlet of the cartridge being located at or near a center of said circulation chamber , where the circulation chamber (93) it is formed to cause the beverage exiting the eductor baffle channel (80) to rotate around the circulation chamber (93) before exiting the outlet (43); characterized in that the circulation chamber (93) comprises a delimiting wall (90); Y wherein the bounding wall (90) is generally spiral-shaped. A cartridge (1) according to claim 1, wherein the flow chamber (93) comprises an inclined plane (94) sloping inwardly and downwardly towards the outlet (43). A cartridge (1) according to claim 1, wherein the bounding wall (90) has a generally circular shaped portion (90a) extending through an angle of approximately 270 degrees from an exit point (82). of the baffle channel (80) and a portion (90b) with a decreasing radius of curvature. 4. A cartridge (1) according to claim 3, wherein the delimiting wall (90) of the portion (90b) of decreasing radius of curvature curves inwards through an inclined plane (94) of the circulation chamber (93) to end up being located adjacent to the outlet (43). A cartridge (1) according to claim 4, wherein the portion (90b) of decreasing radius of curvature ends by lying adjacent to a central opening of the outlet (43). 6. A cartridge (1) according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein one end of the part (90b) of the delimiting wall (90) is coincident with an outlet point (82) of the deflector channel (80). ).